Mystus leucophasis

Asian Upside Down Catfish

Classification

Bagridae

Distribution

Myanmar.

Habitat

It inhabits rivers.

Maximum Standard Length

12″ (30cm).

Aquarium SizeTop ↑

48″ x 24″ x 24″ (120cm x 60cm x 60cm) – 430 litres.

Maintenance

Decor is not critical but the fish should be provided with a refuge it can call home. A large flowerpot turned on its side or a length of PVC piping is ideal.

Water Conditions

Temperature: 74-81°F (23-27°C)

pH: 6.0-8.0. Somewhere around neutral is probably best.

Hardness: 5-20°H

Diet

M. leucophasis is an unfussy feeder and will accept most live, frozen and dried foods. Feed a varied diet to keep the fish in good health and displaying it’s deepest colours.

Behaviour and CompatibilityTop ↑

A somewhat robust species that can also be territorial and aggressive, depending on the temperament of the specimen. It will eat also smaller fish and may bother slow-moving tankmates. However, it can be kept with more active fish including larger barbs, such as tinfoils or lemon-finned, Apollo sharks and large cichlids. It can even be kept in communities of African mbuna. It is usually intolerant of its own kind and only one should be kept unless the tank is very large.

Sexual Dimorphism

Males possess an obvious genital papilla located just in front of the anal fin. Fully grown females are larger and rounder-bodied than males.

Reproduction

Not thought to have been achieved in aquaria although it is commercially bred on fish farms in the Far East.

NotesTop ↑

Like some members of the African catfish genus Synodontis, this species spends the vast majority of it’s time swimming in an inverted position. It is often seen for sale at only a couple of inches in length and may be confused with the popular (and much smaller) Synodontis nigriventris. It can easily be distinguished from this species by its patterning. It does not exhibit the countershading or brown colours of the Synodontis and is a uniform black colour all over. Larger specimens may have some lighter coloured flecking along the sides but retain the overall dark colouration. Care must be taken not to misidentify this fish as it is most certainly unsuitable for the general community tank.